The Penn's Grove record., 1887-12-24
N. j., SATURDAY. DECEMBER "a. 1887.

I Travelled far, MI. Randall? Mr.. Law.
son and we were sn0wbound last night,
and, had 1t not been 30, we should all
| three Of us have been enjoying the fes.
tivities Of Greystone lodge. Anyway,
it IL lucky we have him here as a pro-
lection. 1t Is foolish, l know; but I
do not like staying for q night in a
strange hotel unless we have o man
belonging to the party"
Conversation Tagged, and both ladies
seemed relieved when I begged for a
little mn5ic.
"Do you like classical or popular
music, Mr.. Randallp" said I, mis-.
chlevously. / began to feel now that I
was master of the situation.
81 don't care much for music at any
time,,' said he, In a low voice, shut 1
should like to have a word with you In
private, Mr.. Lawson"
"CertainlyI" l agreed; 81 will re-
tire with yOa for a short time directly
We have had tea, a servant is just
bringing 1t In"
"But 1 should like to return to. York
by the 0 a'clock train J" he began, hur-
riedly.
"AIl right - rising to follow him.
"You gentlemen are not leaving be-
fore you have had some teap" Mrs.
| Spence asked, looking b%ewildered at
such strange behavior.
Zone or both of us will return in a
few seconds. !" 1 assured her.
II don't know what apology to offer
you," stammered John Dobson alias
Mr.. Arthur Randall, as soon as the
door closed.
fare you convinced of your error
nowY'I demanded.
"Nothing is certain. should
never have come to Newcastle but that
the Inspector was SC positive that they
took the train that you came by, and
blew me up so soundly because l had
not seen the ladies who were with you.
1t would have been q great rise for me
to take that young rascal. But for the
present the clew seems to be lost. l
have a notion he is hiding in London"
"Quite like.y,"I assented, and a few
minutes later l returned to Mrs.
Spence's sitting-room alone.
As the night wore on l thought it
strange that l never before noticed the
| soft, low music of Laura Spence's voice.
L liked to hear her sing, and felt
charmed when she spoke to me, and
although we none Of us had much rest
the night before, We did not separate
until a late hour.
The time at Greystone passed all too
quickly. but l did not leave there until
Laura Spence had promised to make
me the happiest nan in the world.
The nine days. talk of the North
British Bank robbery ran Its course,
and then died away to be remembered
by very few. My father seemed much
interested in the affair, but felt certain
the fellow had not gone to Newcastle
In the same train THAT my SOL went
by,n and of course l knew nothing of
any IL answering the description given
by the police,
Time passed on, and Laura Spence
became my wife, and then | told her of
my strange railway adventure. We
often talked about it, and my wife be-.
came a staunch friend to Paul's mother
and sister. The lad remained with
Ted over two years and then left for
the diamond diggings in South Africa.
For two or three years we lost sight of
him, and then, with many other peo-
pie, were startled by an announcement
III tl6 newspapers 6udb dul niNcISs
who had robbed the N. b. Bank in
1856, had refunded the full amount he
had embezzled, with interest. A few
months later a gentlemanly little man
called at my house and inquired for Mr.
Lawson. My surprise may be imagined
when l saw Paul Rivers standing be-
fore me.
"Why, this is an unexpected pleas
urei" said l, holding out my hands.
"As soon as ever | was a free man l
could not resist the longing to come
over and thank you for all your kind
ness to me and those at home." he
said, earnestly.
"You are noe going back. l hopef"
"Oh, yes.' he replied. And back
he went in a short time, taking with
him his mother aud sister.
Paul is a rich and prosperous man
now. He often writes to Ted and me;
and his letters are full of home and
happiness, for he is blest with a clear
conscience, a good wife, happy chill
dren and an abundance Of this worlds
goods.